Improved washing-machine



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IMPROVED WASHING-MACHINE.

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TO ALL WI-IOM-IT MAY CONCERN:

Be it known that I, THOMAS SMITH, of the city and Stato of New York, have invented a certain new and improved Machine for Washing and Rinsing Clothes .or textile and analogous fabrics or materials, of which the following specification, in connection with the accompanying drawings, embraces a full and clear description.

'lhe nature of my invent-ion consists principally in the application, to the interior of a cylindrical vessel containing the suds, of a ilexible wash-board, supported on springs, and constituted of a chain of bars or slats, (say of wood,) or of a suitably corrugated sheet of metal, in the manner of a lining throughout, as it were, (though detached,) to the outer case.

Figure 1 represents a vertical cross-section, and

Figure 2 a vertical longitudinal section of my machine through the lines n: x on each other ligure respectively, the interior parts that revolve being for more clearness shown in different positions (by forty-tive degrees) in the two figures.

A A is the outer case, of two parts, hinged together lik-e a trunk. B B are hubs, turning with a central shaft, supported in proper bearings in the lower section of the outer case or tub, these hubs being near the ends of the central shaft, but inside the case, 'and fromeach of which extend four counterpart arms or spokes C, thu-t can in some convenient manner be shortened or lcngthcned, for a purpose presently explained. Each pair of these arms are connected at their extremities by a`ixcd cross-bar, D, to which again is attached by thumbscrews E, or other convenient means, another parallel bar, F, the two conjoined being an ordinary species of clamp, whose purpose in this 'machine is to hold the clothes, which, then, by turning the crank G (as will be understood) will be carried around in contact with the flexible and springing wash-board H, composed of the bars Z, and a portion of which is 4shown in tho figures, and the action of which (producing, so to express it, n. rapid series of attritions and concussions) can be more readily understood than explained. lashing of thc hardest class is quickly and thoroughly performed, and renders my machine particularly adapted for use Vin barracks, hospitals, Sze. The bars Z are strung on strong wires, Z', and are slightly separated by washers between them on the wires, to permit the suds and sediment to pass freely through. The wash-board is supported at intervals on any convenient number of springs, 'such as I I, for example, interposed between itv and the outer case.

Operation. The clothes being clamped between the bars Da-nd-F, with their dirtiest portion next the flexible washbcard, the extensible portion of the telescopic arms is run out, as will be understood bythe drawing, to

bring thc'clethes into suiliciently forcible contact, according to their texture, with thewash-board, andthe neces-f sary soap and water, the latter, say, half iilling the lower portion of the machine, being putin, the crank is turned for a time, first invcne dircctionand afterward in the opposite. The cover is then lifted by means of the toggle lever K, (which supports it when open,) the bai-'F is removed, (being turned up to a convenient position for that purpose,) and the clothes are unfolded, and refolded in the reverse manner, to expose fresh surfaces to the wash-board. Bar F is replaced, and the'previous operation of the machine repeated. When the clothes are sufficiently cleansed, the dirty watc'r is drawn off from an opening, L, at the bottom of the outer case, provided with a proper cock, and clean water being put in the machine, the clothes are rinsed by the same operation as that of washing them. lhe machine may have similarly located openings to which to connect pipes to supply it with het and cold water.

It will be readily understood how the board will yield, by springing outward, to the inequalities of the folds of the clothes carried around in the clamps.

To prevent the wash-board from being buckler inward irregularly by the force of the springs, there is o. circular cleat, M, fixed to thc ends of the machine, against which the ends of the bars Z bear, as will be understood.

Having now fully described the nature of my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is I i 1lhe circular flexible and springing wash-board, in combination with a series of rotating (or vibrating) extensible arms and clamps, or `their equivalents, carrying the fabrics to be washed, all operating substantially in the manner and to the effects described.

THOMAS SMITH. Witnesses:

S. M. Poems, Louisa Snlrn. 

